News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

Natural Resources
May 7, 2010

Largest Delegation in Province's History Attends
International Offshore Exhibition and Conference

Newfoundland and Labrador was well-represented in Houston this week at the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) with the largest delegation to date of 73 of the province's petroleum companies and organizations.

The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, accompanied 148 delegates from Newfoundland and Labrador to the conference. The companies and organizations represented at OTC provide critical services and support to the province's growing industry in key areas, including research and development, marine science and ocean technology, detection and surveillance, and ice management.

"We have been participating in OTC for three decades and have witnessed a huge increase in the number of registrants with 73 locally-based companies and organizations represented," said Minister Dunderdale. "This significant jump speaks to the exciting growth of this sector. With our province's undiscovered resource, there's plenty more opportunities for future exploration and development."

Throughout the week, Minister Dunderdale had the opportunity to visit OTC's exhibition area, featuring booths from over 2,400 companies and organizations. Safety, risk assessment and emergency preparedness were major topics of discussion during OTC among delegates. The minister also attended several networking events with key industry representatives.

"OTC is the premiere event to highlight Newfoundland and Labrador's resource potential, service and supply capabilities and innovative industry technologies," said the minister. "With our fourth offshore oil project in development, the expansion of Hibernia's main field and potential satellite developments, Newfoundland and Labrador's position in the oil and gas industry is very promising."

Past participation at OTC has resulted in joint ventures and contracts for many provincial companies and organizations. OTC is an opportunity to increase international exposure, pursue export opportunities and facilitate networking opportunities and information exchanges on trends in the industry.

"This is the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association's 30th year participating in OTC with our largest delegation ever," said Robert Cadigan, President and CEO. "With the assistance of our colleagues at the Department of Natural Resources, our members are supported in their business development efforts in Houston. In addition, our local expertise and the opportunities that exist in Newfoundland and Labrador are showcased, which helps attract new players to our doorstep."

The promotion of Newfoundland and Labrador's growing oil and gas sector is a key commitment in the province's Energy Plan released in 2007. Budget 2010: The Right Investments for Our Children and Our Future includes an additional investment of $160,000 to enable the Provincial Government to further its marketing efforts at large-scale international trade shows and exhibitions.

OTC is one of the largest offshore oil and gas shows in the world. Attendance at this year's OTC returned to previous levels with approximately 75,000 people representing more than 115 countries.

- 30 -

Photo #1:The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation at the Offshore Technology Conference, May 3-6, in Houston, Texas.

 

Media contacts:

Tina Williams
Communications Specialist
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5777, 728-2837
TinaWilliams@gov.nl.ca
Deborah Inkpen
Director, Communications and Policy
Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association
709-758-6617
deborah.inkpen@noianet.com
   

2010 05 07                                  9:50 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement